An open call for projects: how to submit an expression of interest Applying for funding and support for 2018/2019

Reference number: insert reference number Document Owner: Strategic Funding Board

What is this document about? This document aims to provide guidance that will help applicants with the completion of expressions of interest (EoI) for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) funding or support.

It provides an overview of who can apply, the types of projects we are looking for, and what can be applied for. It also includes advice on how to complete the questions on the expression of interest form.

Mae’r canllawiau hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg This guidance is also available in Welsh

Who is this document for? This guidance is for Local Authorities & registered not-for-profit organisations that want to put together and submit an expression of interest for funding, or other types of non-monetary support from NRW.

We welcome expressions of interest in Welsh and English.

| Version History | |-----------------|-----------------|-----------------| | Document Version| Date Published | Summary of Changes | | 1.0 | 11-2017 | Document published | | 2.0 | 12-2017 | Clarity on match funding p8 & p12 | | Review Date: | 11-2019 | |

To report issues with this guidance, ask questions & to submit your completed EoI contact the Strategic funding team at FundingApplication@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 3 What we will support .......................................................................................................................... 4 The Areas ............................................................................................................................................... 5 The Challenges ..................................................................................................................................... 7 The Expression of Interest (EoI) Process ............................................................................................ 8 The EoI Form - guidance on the form questions .............................................................................. 11 Question 1: Project name .................................................................................................................. 11 Question 2: Project summary ............................................................................................................ 11 Question 3: Support requested from NRW ....................................................................................... 11 Question 4: Applicant Details .......................................................................................................... 11 Question 5: Project location .............................................................................................................. 11 Question 6: Timescale ....................................................................................................................... 12 Question 7: Financial details ............................................................................................................ 12 Question 8: Meeting the Challenges ............................................................................................... 13 Question 9: Embedding Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) principles .......... 14 Question 10: Support for the project ............................................................................................... 15 Question 11: Applicant experience ................................................................................................ 15 Question 12: Next steps .................................................................................................................. 16 Declaration & Conflict of Interest .................................................................................................... 16 Scoring for EoIs requesting funding ............................................................................................... 17 Annex 1: All-Wales Projects ............................................................................................................ 20 Annex 2: The Marine Area ............................................................................................................... 22 Annex 3: Mid Wales .......................................................................................................................... 24 Annex 4: North East Wales .............................................................................................................. 27 Annex 5: North West Wales ............................................................................................................ 29 Annex 6: South Central Wales ......................................................................................................... 31 Annex 7: South East Wales ............................................................................................................. 33 Annex 8: South West Wales ............................................................................................................ 35 Introduction

The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, form part of a radical new legislative and policy framework in Wales. This challenges us to think differently about how we work and needs us to work together to make long term changes.

This Open Call has been developed in the context of the new legislation and the policies and processes that flow from it. This includes the State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR), the Natural Resources Policy and the forthcoming Area Statements, emerging Wellbeing Assessments, as well as the Wales Marine Plan, NRW’s Well-being Objectives & Statement and the proposed National Development Framework.

The State of Natural Resources Report set out some of the key challenges in achieving sustainable management of natural resources. These challenges have been reflected back in the Natural Resources Policy and through that policy we are encouraged to take an integrated approach to resolving them – delivering nature based solutions, increasing resource efficiency and renewable energy, and taking a place based approach.

We need to ensure that we are collectively delivering objectives that:

- Tackle climate change, and reverse the decline in biodiversity
- Build more resilient ecosystems in Wales, and;
- Optimise the benefits to well-being offered by a more accessible and resilient natural environment

In doing so we can contribute to the Welsh Government's four headline opportunities associated with our natural resources, namely:

- Supporting successful, sustainable communities;
- Promoting green growth and innovation to create sustainable jobs;
- Supporting a more resource efficient economy; and,
- Maintaining healthy, active and connected communities.

This had led to us identifying the need for a new approach. One of our aims is to use our funding as an opportunity to capture knowledge of ways in which we can manage natural resources that both build resilience of ecosystems and optimise the flow of benefits to people. To do this we need to work with a wider range of stakeholders, who may think differently about natural resources than we do; who may be able to better spot the opportunities, and may be able to design new approaches to ensure multiple benefits are achieved. Some of the key differences to previous NRW funding rounds are noted below:

- **A focus on place-based working.** A fundamental aspect of our approach to managing natural resources sustainably is our focus on collaborative working across sectors to deliver better results at a local level. Communities are often best placed to shape and understand local priorities and opportunities and to find practical solutions that bring the widest possible benefits. We have aligned these to the forthcoming Area Statement areas, so that we can use this process to begin a conversation with stakeholders about the priorities and opportunities in those places. We expect projects to work at an appropriate scale and are keen, where appropriate, to take an all-Wales focus where more strategic solutions are identified.

- **The identification of key challenges – not solutions.** These challenges in particular need collaborative action and cannot be delivered by NRW alone. We have tried to avoid pinpointing the types of projects we wish to see – as this can prevent the innovative solutions needed to drive real change. We welcome your ideas on new collaborations, solutions or focus that make an impact on these challenges.

- **We have listened to our stakeholders.** We recognise that to complete a full application is a lengthy process for those ideas that NRW is unlikely to proceed to fund. So to try and reduce the administrative burden we have developed a two phased process; a light touch Expression of Interest (EoI) for applicants to share their initial ideas with us and then a number of these will be invited to develop a full application for funding.

- **Recognising other ways of joint working.** We have also included in the EoI a question about other support you might be looking for from NRW in your proposal – recognising that some partners value access to land and data as well as funding. You can submit an EoI even if you do not immediately require any funding.

- **Our commitment to sustainable management of natural resources.** Applicants will need to show how they have considered and embedded the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) principles within their proposal – this will be scored.

- **Working iteratively and building successful collaboration.** This EoI process will help develop a funding programme for projects to run until end of December 2019. As consultation and development work is currently ongoing in both Area Statement processes and through the Public Service Boards (PSBs), this is an interim call for projects and joint working ideas. We will be aiming to support another funding round informed by the evolving Area Statement and PSB work, at the end of 2019.

**What we will support**

In keeping with the principles of sustainable management, we are looking for EoIs for projects which reflect an appropriate scale. This means thinking about both the root causes of the problem, and tackling them at source - where interventions can have greatest impact. It might mean thinking about the functioning of the wider ecosystem at a catchment, landscape or regional scale, or it might be developing new tools, way of working, application of standards at a national scale.

In line with this new approach NRW will look to support distinct projects that are not simply elements of ongoing programmes of work. However your project could build on previous ideas that have been successful, if by applying the new approach there is a shift in delivery, objectives and outcomes.

Projects should have a specific start and end date, with clearly defined outcomes and indicators.

We will consider EoIs that identify non-funded support from NRW. This could include access to NRW land or data. Projects seeking funding must focus on one of the challenges identified in this guidance.

In line with our financial policies, we are not able to consider funding for projects which contain or focus on any of the following:

- The funding of core activities of an organisation
- Individuals
- On-going management or maintenance works.
- Work outside Wales
- Funding commercial or profit making organisations
- Maintenance costs on Public Rights of Way
- Where funding for a project from exchequer monies exceeds 50% or State Aid.
- Work that is more appropriate to other agencies or schemes and where the main objective is more relevant to another funding body e.g. Sports Council.
- Schemes where work has been completed or is underway.
- Personal study or the pursuit of individual academic or professional qualifications.
- Survey and data gathering in isolation.
- Development of websites
- Consultancy
- Work within NRW’s statutory remit

The Areas

This Open Call invites projects at the appropriate scales; for the geographic areas proposed for the Area Statements as well as strategic All-Wales projects.

For strategic, or All-Wales projects, we particularly wish to see proposals that have more than local significance, have Wales-wide impact, and/or can help resolve the top-level challenges faced across Wales, using the State of Natural Resources Report as a key source of evidence.

These more strategic projects for example, might aim to establish or improve evidence, tools and methods of:

- understanding the risk and benefits to well-being,
- understanding and nudging behaviours,
- building collaboration and market mechanisms that take the value of ecosystems and their services better into account,
- building know how and capability to pursue sustainable management of natural resources North West Wales Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Snowdonia National Park

North East Wales Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire

Mid Wales Powys, Ceredigion

South West Wales Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire Swansea, Neath Port Talbot

South East Wales Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly

South Central Wales Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr, RCT, Bridgend

Marine Area

Strategic projects / All-Wales The Challenges We know we cannot work alone to solve the problems we face and that we need to work closely with others to design and deliver solutions. We do not have predetermined ideas about what those solutions might look like and we welcome your ideas and innovation.

Drawing on the evidence in State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR), Welsh Governments’ Natural Resource Policy, and the many ongoing conversations about national and local wellbeing, including our work with Public Services Boards, we have identified some key challenges. These have been adapted for each Area, including the Marine environment, and there are summary sheets (see Annex 1-8) which provide more of the place-based context to those challenges. We’ve also included a narrative in relation to more strategic projects which might help address the challenges identified at an all-Wales level.

Your EoI must focus on one of the challenges in an identified area, or at the strategic level. We expect that to address key issues and take account of biogeographical factors some projects may need to cross Area boundaries.

Please identify whether the project is Area based, crosses Area boundaries or is a more strategic or all-Wales project in your EoI.

| Top level challenges | |----------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | | D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning |

Look at the Annexes 1-8 to understand more about the locally identified challenges. Could your project help address these issues? The Expression of Interest (EoI) Process

What are the anticipated timescales of the process?

Who can apply?

This Open Call is for projects led by Local Authorities and registered Not-for-Profit organisations.

By ‘Not for profit’ we mean bodies that are carried on otherwise than for profit, such as third sector and voluntary bodies, and bodies that do not make a private profit for directors, members or share holders but reinvest their profits back into the organisation.

Having said that, we know that to meet the challenges we have set out may require working with land managers, business and across other sectors where income generation is their main concern. If so, we expect EoIs to set out how these groups will be involved and how procurement rules have been considered, particularly if there is any exchange of money expected as a result of the project.

What is the intervention rate?

In the case of funding support, NRW is able to offer a 50% intervention rate. This means that applicants will need to contribute 50% match funding to make up the total project costs. The 50% match funding can include in kind volunteer and staff time but this must be a maximum of 40% of the total project costs. At least 10% of the total project costs needs to be a contribution from the lead partner from their own unrestricted and clean funds. How much funding is available and how much can be applied for?

NRW will not provide funding of less than £10,000, so the minimum total cost of a project is £20,000. We have not stated a limit on the maximum total cost of a project, although we expect competition to be strong and will be considering Value for Money in our review of EoIs. We hope to achieve a good varied portfolio of projects in each Area.

There is approximately £3 million in total available for place based and national projects over the 18 months of this Open Call. We will use our scoring to assess what the most suitable allocation of this funding is. We will support projects which best meet the principles and criteria for the scheme. We will be looking to ensure we have a good even spread of projects in each Area as well as more strategic projects which enable a step change in delivery of SMNR in Wales.

How much detail is needed on this form?

This is an Expression of Interest phase. We want to get an understanding of your project ideas, which challenges you will be addressing and how you intend to do so. We need to know what type of support you wish to request from NRW, either funding, access to NRW managed land, and/or other types of help and support we may be able to offer.

Each of the boxes in the EoI form has a maximum word count. Please adhere to these as any information included after the maximum word count will not be considered as part of the scoring.

We can only accept maps at this stage as supplementary information. If you are invited to submit a full application there will be the opportunity to include additional information and appendices at that later stage.

How do I submit an EoI?

Please complete electronically the EoI form. This is in Microsoft Word format for ease of use. The EoI form can be found on the NRW website.

Email your completed and signed EoI to FundingApplication@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk. We cannot accept an EoI after 23.59 on Sunday 14th January 2018.

Applicants are welcome to submit their EoI in Welsh or English language.

What happens after I've submitted my EoI?

Your EoI will be assessed and scored by an NRW panel. There is limited budget for this round therefore we will not be able to invite all the EoIs to the full application stage, even very good project ideas may be unsuccessful as competition will be strong. EoIs which are requesting funding support and which NRW considers to have potential, will be invited to submit a full application. This invitation may be based on asking you to consider developing a smaller project. We will offer feedback from the EoI stage to the applicant to support the development of the application. Further guidance will be available for the full application stage. Additional information needed at the second stage will include:

- Full financial breakdown, confirmation of match funding, in-kind contribution and cash, cash flow forecasts etc
- All permissions, licenses and consents have been granted, where required;
- Compliance with regulatory and NRW policy requirements including, but not limited to, Environmental Policy, Equality & Diversity policy, Welsh Language Standards, data protection and Health and Safety legislation.

We will endeavour to give all projects independent advice in a fair and transparent way. Any advice that we give on these projects does not constitute support in principle for the project. There will be a secondary assessment process to approve or reject full applications, which will be assessed on their merits.

We aim to inform successful full applications in late spring 2018 so projects can get underway in the summer of 2018.

**Where can I get more help?**

More documentation, including the EoI form, and advice is available on our webpages. There are a number of useful links throughout this guidance too.

For general queries, email: FundingApplication@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

For any finance queries, email: grants.enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

For advice on Areas, contact:

| Area | Contact | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Strategic / All-Wales | FundingApplication@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | Marine | Kathryn Hughes Kathryn.hughes@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | Mid Wales | Linda Ashton Linda.ashton@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | North East Wales | Paul Mitchell paul.mitchell@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | North West Wales | Alun Price Alun.Price@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | SouthCentral | Miki Miyata-Lee miki.miyata-lee@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | | Chris Heaps chris.heaps@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | South East Wales | Sarah Tindal sarah.tindal@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | | Sarah Coakham sarah.coakham@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | South West Wales | Aled Davies aled.davies@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | | | or Glyn Jones glyn.jones@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk | The EoI Form - guidance on the form questions

**Question 1: Project name** Please provide a short working project title, maximum 25 characters.

**Question 2: Project summary** Tick which challenge your project focuses on. Please ensure this briefly but clearly identifies what the project is about, which of the challenges your project would address, your solutions and outcomes. Max 250 words.

**Question 3: Support requested from NRW** Please click the box to add an ‘X’ to show which elements you wish to apply for in this Expression of Interest.

Following previous consultation with stakeholders we know that NRW can bring other resources to collaborative projects other than funding. We would like to try and support this approach, subject to resources being available and compliance with NRW policies.

Add into the text box some information on the support you are requesting. This may include:

- Access to NRW data and information – There is a great deal of data already available via our website but if you need some extra support to access, help with interpretation of datasets, or you cannot find what you’re after please add information on the data sets which would be helpful for your project.
- Access to NRW managed land. If you require access to NRW managed land then please clearly state which land you would like to access and whether or not you have an existing agreement with NRW to access that land, or any other land. We realise that an agreement to access land may be longer than 18 months and if the EoI is asked to proceed this is something that can be discussed at full application stage. (It should be noted that the option to submit project proposals on NRW managed land is not limited to this Open Call, the current Woodlands and You forms continue to be available on the NRW website at this time).

Please be aware that some areas of NRW managed land are not viable for community projects. Forest Design Plans, access and Health and Safety will need to be considered before applicants can be invited to proceed onto the next stage.

**Question 4: Applicant Details** This is the contact person and their position within your organisation and the person who correspondence will be addressed to.

There is also an opportunity here to select your language preference for future formal correspondence.

**Question 5: Project location** This is where the project activity will take place. Please identify if the project crosses Area boundaries. Add information as appropriate e.g. using a postcode or grid reference. Please feel free to add in a map to this box or as an attachment. If your project is over a number of locations you may have several maps/grid references – add all that apply.

**Local Projects** Projects must address a single challenge, but may also contribute to others.

A project may fall within a single Area Statement area or may cross over several Areas. Where this occurs the EoI may be considered by both assessment panels.

If you would like to work on a number of sites across locations, you need to demonstrate that any multi-site activity is coherent as a single project.

It is important that the project is conducted at an appropriate scale – whether that be at a village level or a catchment level, for example. This will be a consideration within the scoring process (see Q9 below).

**Strategic / All Wales & Marine projects** For projects that are addressing the Marine & Strategic / All-Wales policy challenges that do not have a specific site to work out you will need to note this in the box.

**Question 6: Timescale** We are seeking projects of up to 18 months duration in this call. All projects will need to be completed by December 2019.

**Question 7: Financial details**

Only applicable if applying for funding in this call

Please give an indication of the anticipated project costs, the amount you are requesting from NRW and proposed other sources of funding.

NRW is able to offer a 50% intervention rate. This means that applicants will need to contribute 50% match funding to make up the total project costs. The 50% match funding can include in kind volunteer and staff time but this must be a maximum of 40% of the total project costs. At least 10% of the total project costs needs to be a contribution from the lead partner from their own unrestricted and clean funds.

**Unrestricted funds**: Funds that the organisation are able to spend as they see fit with no restrictions on how they spend the funds.

**Clean funds**: Funds which are not already being used to match fund another project.

If your EoI is selected to proceed you will be asked for a full breakdown of your project budget, work programme and anticipated claim dates as part of the full application. The figure in your full application must not exceed the figure identified in this EoI.

NRW reserves the right to make an offer of funding that is different from the details or financial amounts that are set out in applications. Question 8: Meeting the Challenges We want to know how your proposal will make a difference to the Challenge you have chosen. Using the Logic Model on the form complete the blank boxes to show the steps in your project. The challenge you want to address goes in the first box, then start at the ‘Impacts’ box and work backwards to show the steps in your thinking. This should show that the actions your project carries out will directly link to longer term outcomes and impacts.

Use maximum 30 words per box.

Figure 1: General Logic Model Use the large text box to add additional detail. This should include how your project and/or partnership is well placed to address this challenge, what new approaches are you bringing and include evidence to show your project will work. (NRW’s SoNaRR document may provide some useful context). Word Count limit 250.

Choose one local challenge that your project will be contributing towards. We need to know how and why you think your proposal will make a difference.

**Question 9: Embedding Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) principles.**

Can you explain

i) how the principles of sustainable management of natural resources have helped inform and shape your project to date, and;

ii) how you will seek to embed the principles going forward?

You can find more detail on this on our website and booklet ‘Introducing SMNR’. Principles of sustainable management of natural resources

| Principle | Description | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Adaptive management | Manage adaptively by planning, monitoring, reviewing and where appropriate, changing action | | Scale | Consider the appropriate spatial scale for action | | Collaboration and engagement | Promote and engage in collaboration and cooperation | | Public Participation | Make appropriate arrangements for public participation in decision-making | | Evidence | Take account of all relevant evidence, and gather evidence in respect of uncertainties | | Multiple benefits | Take account of the benefits and intrinsic value of natural resources and ecosystems | | Long term | Take account of the short, medium and long term consequences of actions | | Preventative action | Take action to prevent significant damage to ecosystems | | Building resilience | Take account of the resilience of ecosystems, in particular the following aspects: | | | • diversity between and within ecosystems; | | | • the connections between and within ecosystems; | | | • the scale of ecosystems; | | | • the condition of ecosystems (including their structure and functioning); | | | • the adaptability of ecosystems |

Word Count limit 500.

**Question 10: Support for the project** How have you engaged with other partners, the local community, other interested groups in the development of your project idea? Outline any consultation, research or evidence that your project draws on. Have you had any engagement with NRW? How will the collaboration strengthen the project and help you deliver towards the Challenge? Word Count limit 500.

**Question 11: Applicant experience** We want to be sure that our funding is well managed and has a lasting impact. Before we are able to issue any offers of funding we undertake a number of due diligence and credit checks to ensure an organisation has the financial capacity to run the proposed project plus maintain any assets or legacy after the grant has finished.

Briefly explain here any previous experiences of similar projects your organisation has. Or if you are a new organisation highlight the processes and governance you will have in place to manage the proposed project. Also briefly outline what will happen at the end of your project – how will the work be sustainable or managed longer term? There is a maintenance obligation of 10 years within our final grant conditions and we will undertake post funding monitoring visits. What would be the impact of this grant not being provided? Word Count limit 500.

**Question 12: Next steps** Outline how you would take the project from the EoI stage to full application. Does your project require any permissions/consents e.g. planning, species license etc? List any tasks you would need to complete or funding you need to secure. Please note that an allocation of NRW funding does not mean you will automatically get NRW consents or permissions. You will need to build appropriate time into your project planning for this. It is a condition of funding that all necessary permissions and consents must be obtained before the project starts.

**Declaration & Conflict of Interest**

Please confirm all the declaration statements are true, complete the conflict of Interest declaration and then complete the four boxes confirming the date/name/organisation and position of signatory.

Please note that if you fail to declare a potential conflict of interest NRW may cancel any grant awarded.

If you use an electronic signature the form must be sent from your organisation’s email address. Do not send your application from a private email. **Scoring for EoIs requesting funding**

Please find below NRWs scoring criteria for EoIs requesting funding. EoIs requesting non-funded support will be considered on their own merits and will be subject to resources being available.

| Question topic | EoI Phase | Scoring | Weighting | |---------------------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Project Name | Not scored| | | | Project Summary | Not scored, info only | | | | Applicant details | Must be a Local Authority or not-for-profit organisation | If other than an not-for-profit - do not proceed. | | | Project Location | Impact must be predominantly in Wales | If wholly outside of Wales – do not proceed | | | Timescale | Project must be completed by end December 2019 | | | | Financial info | Only outline info at EoI stage. | If over 50% requested from NRW – do not proceed | | | Other NRW support requested | Outline info on EoI | Not scored, info only | | | Meeting the challenges | Has the project identified a challenge? Has the applicant satisfactorily shown that they understand the challenge and explained how their proposal will contribute towards the challenge? Does the proposal consider the local issues and activity identified in the annexes? Has the applicant used good evidence to support their proposal? | Score: 1. No identified Challenge 2. Little understanding of the challenge or how the project may help. 3. Incomplete/insufficient response 4. Good response, showing understanding of the challenge and identifying project contribution 5. Clear demonstration of how the project addresses the challenge with strong supporting evidence. | X3 | | Embedding of SMNR | How well has project considered SMNR Principles in its development? Is it possible to understand how by applying the Principles the project has a different dimension to the ‘usual’ kind of project? What will be done differently as the project proceeds? Are social, economic and environmental benefits embedded in the project? | Score: 1. No understanding or application of SMNR Principles 2. Little understanding of SMNR principles 3. Incomplete/insufficient response, shows some understanding but much more work needed 4. Good response, showing understanding of principles – could be further developed | X3 | | **Support for the project** | Has evidence been well used to support the project? Have partners been identified and roles are clear? | 5. Robust and thorough demonstration of how the SMNR principles have been and will be applied to the project, good use of evidence. | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Applicant Experience** | How much support from the local community, relevant stakeholders, partners etc does the proposal have? Are relevant potential partners identified and engaged? How will partners add value to the project or support the project with it’s delivery? Is there other evidence noted to support the project e.g. use of SoNaRR | Score:

01. No support from other bodies identified

02. Some partners named but no detail or evidence of support

03. Satisfactory response with support noted, more work needed to establish roles and the benefits of the partnership.

04. Good response, clear support from others with opportunities to develop and clarify in the next phase.

05. Comprehensive and well evidenced description of support & commitment from other partners with clear benefits and value added of partnership working. | | **Next steps** | Does the applicant have a clear way forward to take the EOI to full application? Are realistic steps identified, including dependancies (e.g. funding, partners, permissions). Are timescales realistic? | Score:

06. No real consideration of how the project will be developed.

07. Very limited or insufficient info on the next steps

08. Satisfactory response but lacking evidence/detail/confidence | | Declaration | Needs to be signed | |-------------|--------------------|

09. Good detail about how the project will be taken forward

10. Clear, comprehensive and realistic description of the next steps

Scoring range (with weighting): 0 to 55

Scoring thresholds:

High – consider full application if budgets allow (first in line for funds): over 44 Medium – further work needed with steer from NRW if budget allows: score of 33-44 Low – rejected. Not in line for funding. 33 or below

Projects that have been scored as medium or high will be considered together in the relevant panel/s. Overall we will be looking to build a balanced portfolio of projects which together address the different challenges, between Areas and at the all-Wales level and will enable a step change in delivery of SMNR in Wales. Annex 1: All-Wales Projects

For strategic, or All-Wales projects, we particularly wish to see proposals that have more than local significance, have Wales-wide impact, and/or can help resolve the top-level challenges faced across Wales, using the State of Natural Resources Report as a key source of evidence.

These projects for example, might aim to establish or improved evidence, tools and methods of understanding the risk and benefits to well-being, understanding and nudging behaviours, building collaboration and market mechanisms that take the value of ecosystems and their services better into account, and building know how and capability to pursue sustainable management of natural resources. Changing behaviours, addressing significant evidence gaps and innovative, integrated ways of working are cross-cutting issues. We therefore particularly welcome projects that address such issues within any of the All-Wales Challenges in the table below.

| Top Level Challenges | All-Wales Challenges | |----------------------|----------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Reducing land use/management impacts on the water environment and wider ecosystems. We are looking for collaborative projects using nature-based solutions to establish and tackle the root causes, impacts and increase the resilience of ecosystems. | | | 2. Innovative approaches to tackle failure of water body status e.g. as a result of the impact of land use on water, to provide evidence to establish cost-effective approaches to improving water quality and water habitats, which deliver a range of benefits. | | | 3. Supporting approaches for encouraging reduction in water consumption, or pollution prevention that reduce impacts to the natural environment | | | 4. Research/investigations to address evidence gaps in SoNaRR to provide the best available science to inform future policy development, approaches and technical advice around land use, improve understanding of the risks and opportunities for sustainable management of terrestrial and water resources. | | | 5. Developing the marine evidence base to support improved decision-making through future implementation of the draft Welsh National Marine Plan. Key areas include improved understanding of the distribution of important marine habitats and species; opportunities & threats to the well-being of coastal communities; and opportunities for enabling recovery and restoration of marine ecosystems through the marine planning process. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems | 1. Initiatives that enable the restoration, improved management, connectivity or to tackle key pressures on the following priority ecosystems (habitats and species): peatlands (lowland and upland), sand dunes, rivers, woodlands, grasslands. | | through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 2. Ideas for change or new approaches that will ultimately lead to enhancing biodiversity in urban areas, e.g. improve the connectivity between urban and rural green space, management, or enhancement of green spaces and green infrastructure in and around urban areas, making the connections to wellbeing. | | --- | --- | | 3. Innovations aimed at addressing the following pressures negatively affecting biodiversity: | • Air pollution: Nitrogen deposition\
• Climate change and habitat fragmentation\
• Diffuse water pollution\
• Flood and coastal erosion risk management\
• Grazing and livestock management\
• Non-native invasive species and pathogens\
• Man-made changes to hydraulic conditions\
• Woodland management\
• Sustainable management that helps to mitigate impacts of access and recreational activities in sensitive areas | | 4. Projects or schemes exploring nature based solutions to improve the condition of our ecosystems; reduce and better manage the pressures and demands on ecosystems and natural resources. | | 5. Projects leading to improved understanding of species distribution, management needs, adaptations to changing climatic conditions, impacts of aerial pollution and the links to wellbeing. | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | 1. Bringing about behaviour changes that demonstrably benefit more people being active in the outdoors more often - particularly focused on people from WG/Public Health Wales priority groups and infrequent users of the outdoors | | 2. The delivery of high quality outdoor learning and skills initiatives which provide associated physical and mental wellbeing benefits to participants | | 3. Initiatives assessing and/or implementing behaviour changes aimed at getting more people to connect with and be more active in the outdoors, and that can be applied more widely | | 4. Enabling access to, and improvement of, the natural environment in and around primary care and work settings, encouraging people within those settings to use the outdoors for physical and mental health and wellbeing improvements. | | D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | 1. Initiatives that help communities to become more resilient, contributing towards community and individual learning, skills and economic well-being, including the innovative use of NRW land holdings. | | 2. Initiatives that support tourism economies by connecting tourism to the sustainable management of high quality landscapes. (This may include the innovative use of NRW land holdings to provide access and recreational opportunities where there is evidence of need). | | 3. Initiatives that develop a more circular economy with a focus on reducing resource use, and using natural resources many times, before responsibly using waste. | | 4. Building knowhow, technical competence or a better understanding of sustainable management of natural resources into other decision making in other sectors so that the value of ecosystems and their services is fully considered, and biodiversity maintained and enhanced. |

For more information on the All-Wales Challenges please contact: FundingApplication@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk and we will aim to put your question to the relevant NRW team. Annex 2: The Marine Area

We welcome projects that fall in the marine area that have solutions to address the following challenges:

| Top Level Challenges | Marine challenges | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Practical actions to take forward coastal adaptation to improve the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in response to climate change and rising sea levels e.g.

- Deliver options study for delivering coastal adaptation for Shoreline Management Plan policies in locations where a change management (from 'Hold the Line' to 'no active intervention' or 'managed realignment') is required
- Develop and implement strategies to plan for future managed realignment.
- Explore options for developing nature based solutions to coastal erosion and flood risk

2. Actions to promote sustainable and responsible marine and coastal access and recreation e.g.

- Develop evidence on the spatial and temporal extent of recreational activities and visitor use across the marine and coastal environment of Wales, including development of consistent data collection and analysis methods. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions to increase the resilience of Wales’ marine environment e.g.
- Facilitate restoration of degraded marine habitats
- Facilitate habitat creation.
- Prevent damage to/reduce impacts on marine ecosystems

2. Practical actions to take forward coastal adaptation to improve the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in response to climate change and rising sea levels e.g. | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | 1. Actions to promote sustainable and responsible marine and coastal access and recreation e.g. | |---|---| | • Initiate the creation of coastal habitat to offset coastal squeeze losses resulting from sea level | • Develop understanding of the impacts of recreational activities and visitor use on protected features in Wales’ network of coastal and marine protected areas. | | 3. Actions to promote sustainable and responsible marine and coastal access and recreation e.g. | • Trial novel approaches to reduce damage to habitat features or disturbance of species in Wales’ network of coastal and marine protected areas. | | | 2. Actions to improve well being of coastal communities by addressing marine litter e.g. | | | • Develop and implement innovative and collaborative solutions to address marine litter-for example, pilot projects to prevent sources of litter, promoting behavioural change and address litter in the environment. | | | • Building an evidence base to underpin actions to address marine litter, including understanding of the different solutions required for different marine litter types. | | D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | 1. Actions to support and promote sustainable business in the marine environment e.g. | | | • Develop or advance technologies/ approaches that reduce environmental impacts | | | • Explore business models that support sustainable blue growth | | | • Encourage behavioural change (e.g. consumer choice) to promote sustainability in the marine environment |

For more information on the Marine Area Challenges please contact: Kathryn Hughes, Marine Area Statement Co-ordinator Kathryn.hughes@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Annex 3: Mid Wales

Mid Wales area consists of the counties of Ceredigion and Powys including the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys.

We welcome projects that help address the following local challenges:

| Top level Challenges | Local Challenges | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions that support the ability of our natural habitats to provide a range of services, such as biodiversity, carbon storage, Natural flood risk management are not being fully realised. Restoring and improving these habitats is key to realising these benefits.\
2\. Actions that underpin clean well-functioning fresh water river systems and fluvial habitat management, and natural flood risk management.\
3\. Actions that lead to a reduction in instances of diffuse pollution and point source pollution, for example, resulting from agriculture and historic lead mining in the rivers and tributaries of Mid Wales, improving beach / bathing water quality where there is an impact on communities, tourism and wildlife.\
4\. Actions that promote understanding of the benefits of these actions. This could be achieved through providing specific examples of good practice.\
5\. Actions that support sustaining / restoring at-risk stocks of salmon and sea trout. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote the resilience of ecosystems which include addressing the loss of priority habitats and species, is a region wide issue that needs to be tackled at the appropriate scale. For example, the priorities listed below are those identified in the Powys Local Nature Recovery Action Plan and the Ceredigion Local Biodiversity Action Plan priorities (although we recognise this list will change over time) and SoNaRR:\
a. Priority habitats identified in Powys & Ceredigion include: | Rhos pasture, hedgerows & linear habitats such as road side verges, maritime cliff and slope, upland heath & Peatlands, upland oak woodland, native and semi natural small woodland, traditional orchards, rivers & streams, farmland, Raised bogs, Lowland meadows, lowland wood pasture, control of invasive species.

**b. Priority species identified in Powys & Ceredigion include:**

Bottlenose Dolphin, Porpoise, Brown Hare, Water Vole, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Chough, Otter, Marsh Fritillary, Greater butterfly Orchid, Red Squirrel, River Lamprey, White Clawed Crayfish, Atlantic Salmon, Brown Trout, Red Wood Ant, Hairy (or Northern) Wood Ant and Hazel Dormouse.

2. Actions for internationally important species in mid Wales where there is justification will also be considered.

3. It is recognised that People value and care about what they know and understand. Actions needed:

   - that promote better understanding of the local natural environment and the importance of improving the resilience of associated habitat and species through management. This could be achieved through providing specific examples of good practice.

| C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | |---| | Active recreation and access to the outdoors contributes to physical and mental well-being. Projects are encouraged on our land and the wider Countryside: | | 1. Projects that promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support physical and mental well-being through increasing opportunities to enjoy natural green spaces. | | 2. Actions to promote Mid Wales as a place to enjoy the diverse Natural Environment. | | 3. Actions to promote understanding of the benefits to health & well-being of active recreation and access to the outdoors. | | 4. Actions that promote the value of the natural environment through education and interpretation. | | 5. Actions that engage people in the wildlife friendly management of their local outdoor spaces, increasing biodiversity and connectivity. |

| D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | |---| | Mid Wales has been identified as needing a growth in sustainable employment opportunities. Our environment is one of our biggest assets in Mid Wales providing opportunities for a range of outdoor activities and adventure tourism. We want to make the most of our natural assets and take advantages of those opportunities. We would welcome applications that sustainably utilise the natural environment to develop new activities, attractions and employment in Mid Wales. | | Well paid jobs with career prospects and the supply of skilled labour is a key issue and challenge in mid wales. For example, better links with universities, sustainable forestry skills development, wildlife tourism, angling, active outdoor activities, land management and sustainable farm diversification can all play an important part in increasing the rural economy. |

1. Actions are needed that build the right skills and employment opportunities to ensure sustainable use of our Natural Environment is integral to a thriving economy.

For more information on the Mid Challenges please contact:

Linda Ashton, Senior Partnership, Access & Recreation Officer. Email: linda.ashton@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk. Annex 4: North East Wales

The NE Wales Area consists of the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham.

We welcome projects that help address the following local challenges:

| Top Level Challenges | North East Wales challenges | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions to address the issue of localised flooding that is relevant to numerous communities in NE Wales. Initiatives to adopt a more proactive and sustainable approach to water resource management are welcomed.\
Priorities include:

- projects that promote ditch blocking in upland areas, natural flood risk management, and sustainable urban drainage schemes in the urban/urban fringe communities of Wrexham, Flintshire & Denbighshire.
- Projects resulting in improved management of water flow are also appropriate in the Area. Small-scale schemes leading to a reduction in adverse impacts on fish and eel populations are a priority. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that address that biodiversity loss remains a significant issue in NE Wales. Restricted connectivity, the lack of sustainable management outside protected sites, and the need for continued long term maintenance and enhancement of protected sites (in a time of reduced financial resourcing) are cited as reasons for the continued decline in biodiversity.
- Priority habitats for the Area are identified as grasslands, saltmarsh, mudflats, native woodlands, veteran trees and hedgerows.
- Priority species for the Area include salmon and sea trout, water vole and red squirrel.\
  Projects that help address the loss of these priority habitats and species and contribute to maintaining ecosystem resilience are critical for NE Wales.

2. Action to manage and control Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) on protected sites and sites of community value. The on-going management of alien plant and animal species is a major challenge for NE Wales.

- Priority species that projects should address: Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed (River catchments), non-native cotoneaster (Limestone) | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | |---| | NE Wales has a comprehensive network of accessible natural greenspace contained within its communities. The network includes country parks, local nature reserves, wildlife corridors, community woodlands and informal greenspace. The Dee Estuary provides numerous opportunities for experiencing the natural environment in Flintshire. The coastal communities in Denbighshire are well served with greenspace in the urban/urban fringe areas. The urban villages of Wrexham contain numerous greenspaces and parks often linked by wildlife corridors and disused railway lines. In the south of the Area the World Heritage Site provides significant opportunities for ecological connectivity and enhanced public access between communities and countryside sites in Wrexham and neighbouring Denbighshire. 1. We are looking for actions that ensure the sustainable management, promotion and enhancement of these natural green spaces. Projects that enhance accessibility and connectivity would greatly improve well-being and promote healthy, active and connected communities. |

| D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | |---| | Water resources retain a significant role in the economy of NE Wales. Unsustainable use, and actions that adversely impact water quality, directly affect the economy and lead to additional costs and inefficiencies. Good bathing water quality is essential to the tourist economy on the coast. Inland, improved water quality encourages water based tourism and recreational activity, both important economic drivers in the Area. 1. Actions that promote education, training and practical means to reduce the instances of diffuse and point source pollution resulting from agricultural and domestic activity in the two main catchments – the River Dee and River Clwyd 2. Actions which address diffuse pollution on River Dee tributaries and reduce instances of pollution caused by pesticide use within the wider catchment are a priority. Projects that raise awareness of diffuse agricultural pollution affecting water quality on the River Clwyd and associated downstream impact on bathing water quality at Rhyl. Point source pollution relating to septic tanks and domestic waste connections is also an issue which needs addressing through improved training and education initiatives. |

For more information on the North-East Wales Challenges please contact:\
**Paul Mitchell**\
Arweinydd Tîm Rhanbarthol (Partneriaethau a Chefn Gwlad)\
Regional Team Leader (Partnerships and Countryside)\
E-bost/E-mail: paul.mitchell@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Annex 5: North West Wales

The NW Wales Area consists of the counties of Conwy, Gwynedd and Isle of Anglesey.

We welcome projects that help to address the following local challenges:

| Top Level Challenges | North West Wales challenges | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions that adapt to, and mitigate climate change through reduced emissions and Coastal Zone Management. Using locations identified in the Shoreline Management Plan as facing change in the short to medium term, develop a shared understanding of coastal adaptation challenges and barriers, and work to develop solutions.\
2\. Actions that engage with large scale upland management projects where there is clear evidence of community involvement and potential benefits for managing fluvial flooding and fluvial habitats and managing soil carbon.\
3\. Other priorities to address in the Area include helping tackle the causes of localised fly-tipping and improving beach/bathing water quality where it impacts on communities and tourism. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that protect and maintain ecosystem resilience— including addressing the loss of priority habitats and species both on and off protected sites.

- Priority habitats for this work include: Rivers; coast (salt marsh and mudflats); uplands & peatland; fens; oak woodlands; ash woodlands; and limestone pavement.
- Priority species identified for the Area are: Chough; bats; dormouse; grouse; bittern; water vole; and otter.

2. Actions to control native and non-native invasive species (INNS) on protected sites and sites of community value associated with the other priorities in this programme.
   - Priority species include: Rhododendron ponticum; Himalayan balsam; Japanese knotweed; grey squirrel; mink; non-native cotoneaster on limestone sites; and INNS within freshwater habitats. |

### C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing

1. Projects that promote the sustainable use of natural resources to improve health and well-being. Initiatives that use the natural environment to help tackle obesity and promote a healthy life expectancy for all, including ageing well, and reducing the threats to physical and mental health and well-being.

2. Projects that maintain a healthy community spirit by providing opportunities to volunteer in the natural environment and improve skills for employment. Schemes that enhance and develop opportunities for local, community based access and recreation.

3. Actions that promote the sustainable use of the countryside and coast of North West Wales to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of communities with an emphasis on removing physical and cultural barriers to access.

4. Actions that maintain and link green infrastructure (GI) as a means of increasing ecological connectivity and improving public access. Enhance active travel routes by developing associated opportunities for access and recreation linking to open access areas and the wider countryside.

### D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning

1. Actions that seek solutions to the causes of localised poor coastal bathing water quality.

2. Actions that promote the circular economy and green growth through collaboration, preventative action and public participation to improve resilience, efficiency and minimise the unsustainable use of natural resources.

3. Actions that engage with local communities actively involved with their inland waters, for example Llyn Padarn, with the aim of raising awareness and removing barriers to community participation in and management of inland waters.

4. Actions that support the enhancement of local green and blue spaces that are valued and used by local communities. In addition, this includes, the enhancement of areas of high landscape value that are recognised destinations for tourism (especially where communities are actively engaged) are also a priority. Adding value by providing opportunities to volunteer and improve skills for employment, especially amongst young people aged between 16 and 24, is an important part of this work.

5. Actions that target environmental action to improve communities by improving air quality, improving access to local green and blue space and that recognise the value of our landscapes which can also further improve Wales’ tourism offer.

______________________________________________________________________

For more information on the North West Wales Challenges please contact:

**Alun Price**\
Senior Access Recreation and Partnerships Officer\
[Alun.Price@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk](mailto:Alun.Price@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk) Annex 6: South Central Wales

South Central area consists of the counties of Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff and south central areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

We welcome projects that help address the following local challenges:

| Top Line Challenges | Local Challenges | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions that promote integrated green infrastructure in urban areas improving well-being and building resilience to a changing climate. These should help address: environmental inequalities, poor health, community cohesion, localised flooding, water quality, biodiversity in urban areas. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that encourage and support partners working together to deliver catchment scale interventions delivering multiple benefits. These should help address: biodiversity loss and connectivity, water quality, flood risk, access and recreation, community involvement / awareness. | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | 1. Actions that encourage working with and supporting communities who want to use, manage and enjoy their local areas for improved well-being. To help address: crime and anti-social behaviour (including fly-tipping), fuel poverty (renewable energy), food poverty (food growing), poor health, community cohesion, community pride.\
2\. Actions that encourage cross sector approach to improving people’s health through recreation and the outdoor environment. To help address: poor health, social/environmental inequality, poor quality recreational infrastructure (quality, extent and access), community pride and involvement. | | D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | 1. Actions that enable ideas to be turned into action through local and regional opportunities such as the City Region, Metro, Valleys Landscape Park and other | opportunities. This can also be used to forge greater working links with academia in South Central Wales.

For more information on the South Central Challenges please contact:

Miki Miyata-Lee, Partnerships Officer miki.miyata-lee@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk or Chris Heaps, Partnerships Officer chris.heaps@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Annex 7: South East Wales

South East area consists of the counties of Torfaen, Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and south eastern areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

We welcome projects that help address the following local challenges:

| Top Level Challenges | Local Challenges | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions that bring forward innovative solutions to the issue of poor soil quality and pressure on water quality in rural areas including:

- Reducing levels of Phosphate in slurry, sewage sludge, poultry litter & anaerobic digestate prior to its spread on land
- Improving soil structure
- Reducing levels of phosphate entering the watercourse from private package treatment plants | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that work with a range of partners to deliver catchment or landscape scale interventions delivering multiple benefits.
- This could include improving the habitat condition and connectivity of natural areas on or between protected sites and sites of importance for nature conservation;
- Natural Flood Risk Management opportunities;
- woodland creation;
- INNS management;
- Climate Change adaptation and mitigation and specific support for sustaining or restoring at-risk stocks of salmon. | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | 1. Actions that enable and encourage local communities to use manage & enjoy their local areas for health, wellbeing and community cohesion. With a particular focus on disadvantaged communities and Active Travel routes. | | D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | 1. Actions that bring partners together to work with businesses in order to
- Develop opportunities for delivering ecosystem services
- Improve resource efficiency & reduce energy consumption
- Identify opportunities and facilitate the sharing of resources between business
- Relocalise the supply chain | For more information on the South East Challenges please contact:

Sarah Coakham, Partnerships Officer sarah.coakham@cyfoethnuriolcymru.gov.uk or Sarah Tindal, Partnerships Officer sarah.tindal@cyfoethnuriolcymru.gov.uk Annex 8: South West Wales

South West area consists of the counties of Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and south western areas of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

We welcome projects that help address the following local challenges:

| Top Level Challenges | Local Challenges | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | A. Ensure land and water is managed sustainably in an integrated way and reduce the risk from environmental hazards such as flooding and pollution | 1. Actions that promote the use of Natural Flood Management schemes\
a. Natural flood risk management schemes that can demonstrate multiple benefits including habitat creation, carbon storage, increased baseflows, improved water quality, amenity and of course reducing flooding. We would like to see projects to help identify and promote natural solutions that could be delivered on privately owned land. The key areas identified so far are Llanelli, Port Talbot, Pembrey and Carmarthen but we welcome projects in other areas of south west Wales.\
b. We would also like to work with partners to address economic, social, cultural and environmental challenges relating to coastal realignment.\
2\. Actions that identify opportunities to improve forest management practices to maximise benefits e.g. biodiversity improvements, water quality and Natural Flood Risk Management. | | B. Improve the resilience and quality of our ecosystems through improved habitat management, biodiversity and connectivity | 1. Actions that work collaboratively to improve accessibility, state, scale and connectivity of National Nature Reserves, Protected sites and Local Nature Reserves. Projects should include detail of how they can help connect people from areas of multiple deprivation with these sites and help to address issues around social exclusion. This should also be viewed as an opportunity to develop landscape scale habitat creation and deal with Invasive Non Native Species. | | C. Help people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives through improved access to the outdoors for health and wellbeing | |---| | 1. Actions at various scales to identify the provision, use and maintenance of green infrastructure and green space so that its contribution to health and wellbeing can be maximised. | | 2. Actions that increase environmental awareness to secure behavioural change, increase public and local involvement in improving and maintaining a high quality environment so that the natural benefits can be realised. |

| D. Promote the sustainable use of natural resources to support the economy and develop skills and learning | |---| | 1. Actions that promote innovative solutions to develop more sustainable agricultural practices. Work with interested parties (including fishing groups) on a catchment scale to develop collaborative solutions. | | 2. Actions that maximise social, cultural, environmental and economic benefits from the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, by developing the green and circular economy, social/community enterprise, community ownership and tourism. |

For more information on the South West Challenges please contact:

**Aled Davies, Partnerships Officer** aled.davies@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

or

**Glyn Jones, Partnerships Officer** glyn.jones@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk